Glass Skin Skincare Routine

Glass Skin Trend from Korea

K-beauty introduced a new trend called “Glass Skin,” where one achieves a pore less, porcelain-smooth complexion with a super dewy (almost wet) and reflective finish – just like a pane or a shard of glass.

Glass skin is this idea of transparent and translucent skin explains Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach & Lily. “It’s a sign of youthfulness and it’s one of the most strived-for qualities in Korea. However, this combination of ultra-smooth texture and super translucency can be hard to achieve with products alone. It’s not something you get overnight – it’s consistent skincare that gives you that refined texture, the pinnacle of youthful skin.”

Achieving this coveted glow requires long-term commitment — not a quick fix. A glow of this magnitude starts from within, and you need products that will deliver active ingredients deeper, rather than those that simply sit on top of the skin. “Getting this fresh-faced texture comes two-fold: First, you’ll need an exfoliator to buff skin so it has that very smooth texture. Secondly, a hydrating serum to help give that glass-like appearance,” explains Yoon.

Ellie Choi, an aspiring Korean makeup artist, shared via IG the products she uses to get her combination skin type (oily on the T-zone and dry on the cheeks)  “Glass Skin” status.

This is what Ellie did to achieve this pore less look – there were 5 steps and the emphasis here is on clean healthy skin:

Step 1 – remove all makeup and/ or impurities (she used facial wipes which we would substitute with a micellar water)

Step 2: wash with fragrance free soap (we would use our collagen face wash)

Step 3: use a toner after double cleansing (optional)

Step 4: use a moisturizer with Vitamin C and E (you must try the Vitamin C moisturizer from Delia Cosmetics)

Step 5: masks – at least twice a week and Ellie used sheet masks which are very popular in Korean Beauty (for more information scroll further down) and we recommend the charcoal Bubble Mask to get clean unblocked pores. To get hydration this mask can be alternated bi-weekly with our Pink Algae mask. 

Step 6: Face scrubs also to achieve clean skin to be used every 2nd day

Step 7:  Serums – are a must to get that hydrated glowy smooth skin – we have several to choose from but the HA+ 100% serum is perfect for glass skin. This can be placed directly onto the face or what I like to do is add a drop or two to my day/ night cream and then rub it gently into my skin.

Ellie also added 2 other steps because glass skin cannot only be achieved using skincare products – she recommends eating healthy and drinking lots of water for hydration. And as with everything in life – it is not a quick fix it can take up to 6 months if not more to become smooth and glowy.

So I am on the fence about the drinking of water every day – especially 2 litres as there have been recent reports that drinking water doesn’t contribute to hydrated skin??? Drinking six to eight glasses of water does not hydrate the skin from within. Drinking water is essential for overall health, but it has very little to do with the level of skin hydration.

I just want to add here that double/ triple cleansing isn’t for ALL skin types – be aware of scrubs and toners if you have sensitive skin. I tried it and I stripped a layer of a my skin – it took weeks actually months to come right again. So be careful and maybe only try one thing at a time and make sure you know the ingredients of the products that you use. I always say sensitive skin is under-rated people just accept it and don’t take it seriously enough.

K Beauty

Starting at a young age, Korean children are taught proper techniques, like exfoliating, moisturizing, and using SPF, so it becomes second nature to them when they grow up. And, it’s not just for girls! Boys are as equally invested in their skincare routine as shown here. In Korea, good skincare is available to everyone.

They approach skincare differently, too. Korean consumers are focused on prevention and getting to the root of skin problems. They use products consistently rather than just once and wanting immediate results.

This means applying SPF 30+ and moisturizer before fine lines and dark spots appear – not just covering them with makeup and hoping for the best. They believe that with time and effort, you can be in control of your skin — you don’t have to react to the way it’s acting.

Here are some skincare priorities from the K-beauty range:

• The way skin looks and feels is of the utmost importance. 
• Dewiness is favored. When you’re dewy, you glow. This is accomplished by hydrating with facial mists, moisturizers, and humidifiers throughout the day.
• Brightening, yes! Bleaching, no. Again, glowing is the goal. This includes a bright, smooth, and even skin tone with minimal imperfections. Many K-Beauty products are labeled “whitening,” but this actually means “brightening.” These are typically safe for all skin tones and don’t contain actual bleach.
• Makeup takes a back seat. Sad but true: Makeup is a band-aid for longer-lasting conditions, like acne. It’s not treatment; just a temporary fix. In Korea, a smooth, clean canvas that’s prepped for makeup application is the way to go. They can go with minimal makeup and still look #flawless. The no-makeup makeup look is very popular!

The Routine of All Routines

To end this post – remember nothing happens over night – so YES follow the step routine to achieve glassy skin but it will take time for you to see an effect. Whether the routine is 6 steps or 10 skincare requires commitment and dedication and also seasonal. So give it a go but when the season changes our skin does too, so be vigilant and adapt. And what works for one person might not work for others because your skin is yours and no one knows it better than you.